Related Links

Motorcycle manufacturers making retro-looking bikes is not a new marketing ploy to widen target markets and 'grow' sales but BMW has linked its special to an anniversary.

Honda, Kawasaki, et al, have been doing it for some time but tying it all in with milestone (kilometrestone) anniversary celebrations (happy 90th BMW Motorrad!) does seem a really good and thoroughly original idea. (For slower readers: nineT, ninety, geddit?)

BMW is quite happy that this new bike of motard ilk be known simply as the ‘nineT’, a nomenclature that may not roll off the tongue as yet, but it’s safe to say it’ll most likely be a successful model for them because it unashamedly blends classical, albeit naked, single-seat styling trends with top-quality and hand-built levels of finish that we’ve come to expect from this Blue Propeller People.

GOT R225 000+?

However, it will probably take some marketing to cope with the possible price. The nineT, complete with pillion seat and pillion seat cover, retails in the UK for a nice round figure - £12 500 - without any options. That's around R225 000 at the March 2014 exchange rate, not including and SA VAT or other import rip-offs.

Your decision if a motard lookalike is worth that kind of cash.

Critical instructions from the R&D office dictated "reduce bodywork as far as possible to achieve that puristic look". Talking of which, the frame is an all-new modular design and consisting four main components: main frame, rear main frame, frame end-piece and a pillion frame – all bolted together and so further customisable.

There’s a gorgeous 18-litre aluminium fuel tank fitted – hand-made, of course, with embossed nineT lettering that can be further customised with classic rubber knee-pads.

However there’s more to the BMW R nineT than just being a BMW motorcycle with an unprecedented design – to stimulate always the rider's senses and trigger powerful emotions throughnon-stop thrills, whether it’s pulling up in front of a café or simply commuting.

Adept as it is at simply cruisingor powering forward,the nineT has at its heart is a 1170cc air/oil-cooled boxer twin producing 81kW at 7750rpm and 119Nm at 6000rpm.

WEALTH OF CUSTOMISING POSSIBLE

A closer inspection of the bike reveals an Akraprovic twin-exhaust system that runs down the left-hand side of the machine, while power is transmitted to the rear wheel via a proven six-speed gearbox and Cardan shaft drive. In keeping with the dynamic character of the nineT, the secondary transmission ratio of the pinion and ring gear has been shortened in favour of acceleration and smooth shifts.

The rider, taking the central components of engine and chassis as a base, has on the nineThas a wealth of customising options on call.

No conventional Telever front suspension for the nineT – instead, BMW has dug deep in the parts bin and come up with their superb superbike (S1000RR) upside-down teles. The rear suspension, meanwhile, employs the familiar Paralever single-sided swingarm in conjunction with a central spring strut.

Other Stories in News...

German automakers reacted with dismay Thursday as the US Commerce Department said tariffs on car imports could be on the horizon, potentially opening a new front in a burgeoning transatlantic trade conflict.

24.com publishes all comments posted on articles provided that they adhere to our Comments Policy. Should you wish to report a comment for editorial review, please do so by clicking the 'Report Comment' button to the right of each comment.